Business Profiles
Daisy Jane’s offers fashion and fun in York Village
By Melissa Wood
Judy Bean and Sue Lemire’s newest store, Daisy Jane’s, is a boutique offering a variety of clothing, shoes, jewelry and gifts right here in York Village. The sisters, who grew up in York, also own the Daisy Trading Company stores in York and Ogunquit.
Photo by Melissa Wood
YORK - As children growing up in town, sisters Sue Lemire and Judy Bean would visit the Williams Family Country Store, a family-owned business that was once a staple of the village center.
Although the longtime store closed several years ago, the sisters' opening of Daisy Jane's in that same storefront once again brings a family-owned and operated business to that spot. Only at this store you can buy shoes - fabulous shoes - not to mention a wide variety of clothing, jewelry and unique gifts.
"We're really excited to be in the village," said Sue who, with Judy, also owns the Daisy Trading Company stores in York and Ogunquit.
Judy owns the Lazy Daisy on Shore Road, also in Ogunquit.
While the Daisy Trading Company stores focus primarily on home décor - with a little bit of everything else - the sisters say they jumped at the opportunity of opening Daisy Jane's when they were approached about the location by the storefront's previous shop owner.
"It was kind of the perfect opportunity to have more of a clothing boutique," said Judy, who said that although the other stores offered some clothing and gifts, the new store allows them to go more in-depth in those areas.
That means offering hard-to-find products like Brighton, a line that includes shoes, bags, belts, jewelry and watches that Sue described as having a "cult" following.
Daisy Jane's shoes include well-known Danskos and a line called Yellow Box in a range of styles. Both sisters described the clothing as offering something for everyone that is a bit contemporary but with classics, too.
"I think you could find something for an afternoon barbecue, and something you can go to a wedding in," said Judy.
The store is also a one-stop shop to find a unique gift, with offerings that include candles, soaps, cards and jewelry. The sisters spend a lot of time in the winter attending trade shows looking for new products to offer customers and are open to suggestions.
"We're open to feedback from locals who've been shopping here," said Judy. "We'll do our best to make everyone happy."
So far, feedback from those who have stopped by has been positive.
"So far we've been really pleasantly surprised. People are happy to see businesses staying in the village," said Judy.
Starting midsummer, the sisters are planning to hold special events every month for their customers, including trunk shows, and both Judy and Sue gave credit to their employees, in all of the stores, for making their customers' shopping experience even better.
"They are really helpful with whatever you need," said Judy, who said they look forward to getting to know their customers in order to offer the best service possible. "That's the nice part about having a local business ... and being right here in the village."
Daisy Jane's in York Village is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
